Inspired Alumnus--Dr. Dzirasa--And You?

Distinguished Alumni Inspired by Their UMBC Experience

Dr. Kafui Dzirasa is a former UMBC Meyerhoff scholar who now holds a Ph.D. in Neurobiology, as well as an M.D.degree, both from Duke University. He credits UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski with teaching him to reach beyond mere success. Click the link below to become totally inspired in about 60 seconds.

OK, now that you have been stirred by this distinguished UMBC Alum, we invite you to consider these:

Top Ten Reasons for Becoming an Active Alumnus

10. UMBC needs you.

Universities with active alumni have a lot more talent and resources to draw on. Alumni help the university to stay strong and continue to develop even when state funding for education is lean. Because UMBC is less than fifty years young, we have a smaller and younger alumni population than older colleges, so we need each of you.

9. You can have an impact on the future direction of the university.

At universities where alumni are active, they can be part of conversations about things like: the direction of athletic programs, campus expansion, naming opportunities for campus buildings, access to campus resources and much more. You can make this type of impact by getting involved with the UMBC Alumni Association, its board or different alumni chapters and communities.

8. You can help younger generations of students to succeed.

Once you are “out there” in the world beyond UMBC, you can come back and tell current students what you are experiencing in graduate or professional school, or on the job. Later you can help provide internships and shadowing opportunities for students. At networking events, you can tell current students what you wish you had known about finding a position in your field.

7. You can enjoy coming back to campus to celebrate milestones, like the 50th anniversary in 2016!

The fortieth anniversary hoopla was really fun, so count on the fiftieth to be even better. When you come back you’ll see how the Performing Arts and Humanities Building turned out, what new buildings are under way, and whether it is still impossible to find any given room number in Fine Arts. After graduating, stay in the loop by updating your e-mail address at http://alumni.umbc.edu/update.

6. You will benefit from keeping up ties with your former classmates, professors, and university staff.

Your UMBC network can provide references, job leads, advice, and continuing friendship. And that network can expand over time to include UMBC people you did not even know when you were here! And guess what? Your UMBC associates know other people and can refer you or introduce you to them. Your fellow graduates could turn out to be so successful that they might let you borrow their villa in France for the summer (or at least their condo in Ocean City for a week)! Find “UMBC Alumni” on Linked In.

5. It is particularly fun and rewarding to keep up ties with a subgroup within the UMBC community that was important to your experience here.

Cheerleaders, Theatre majors, SGA officers, Model UN participants, swimmers---whatever group you were into is your niche within UMBC. Staying in touch with your niche-mates and following the progress of current students in those groups is especially meaningful. When one of your fellow athletes of the past makes his or her way into the UMBC Hall of Fame, that ceremony is not to be missed. And, as an alum, you are always welcome at games, matches, and performances---a great place to meet fellow alumni.

4. You can use the library, join the RAC, use the services of the Career Center, get help applying for a Fulbright grant, and enjoy a lifelong subscription to UMBC Magazine.

UMBC does not forget you when you graduate; certain services are available not just to current students but also to alumni. There may be modest fees.

3. You can attend social events planned just for alumni, such as Orioles games, harbor cruises, wine tasting socials, networking receptions downtown, and more.

As an alum, you will be amazed at the invitations and event lists landing in your mailbox from UMBC. These are designed to help you mix and mingle and revel in your UMBC connections! See what’s coming up here.

2. The Alumni Association looks for good “deals” for its members.

These deals include discounts, group life insurance, and unlimited free cakes from Duff Goldman’s Charm City Cakes (not really, but we wish, since Duff is a UMBC alum). Read all about him here. And learn more about alumni “perks” here.

AND, FINALLY:

1. You know it is the right thing to do!

You’ll never regret being an active UMBC “alum from day one” but you may well regret NOT staying in touch. So just do it!